The frequency that various contaminants are tested for
is regulated by the State and can vary from source to
source. The State allows for some contaminants to be
tested for less than once a year because the
concentrations of these contaminants do not change
frequently. Some of our data, though representative,
is more than one year old. Some contaminants are
monitored at the various sources more often than
required.
Inorganic contaminants found at entry point
Aluminum
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits; residual aluminum may be from a chemical used in the treatment process.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
(range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
0.13
(0.10-.15)
mg/L
NA
NA
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
0.13
mg/L
NA
NA
Barium
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
0.037
(0.035-.038)
mg/L
2
2
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
0.021
mg/L
2
2
Skaneateles Lake
No
May 08
0.025
mg/L
2
2
Calcium
Likely source: Naturally occurring
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
40
(39-41)
mg/L
NA
NA
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
33
mg/L
NA
NA
Chloride
Likely source: Naturally occurring, road salts
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
37
(36-37)
mg/L
NA
250
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
26
mg/L
NA
250
Skaneateles Lake
No
May 08
17
mg/L
NA
250
Chromium
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
1.8
(nd-.4)
µg/L
100
100
Copper
Likely source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits, leaching from wood preservatives
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
0.0013
(0.0011-0.0014)
mg/L
NA
AL=1.3
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Jul 08
0.012
mg/L
NA
AL=1.3
Fluoride
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits, water additive that promotes strong teeth, discharge from fertilizer
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Daily
0.98
(0.05-1.20)
mg/L
NA
2.2
Lake Ontario
No
Twice daily
1.04
(0.88-1.26)
mg/L
NA
2.2
Skaneateles Lake
No
Twice daily
0.96
(0.62-1.40)
mg/L
NA
2.2
Information on Fluoride Addition: OCWA is one of many drinking water systems that provide drinking water with a controlled, low level of fluoride for consumer dental health protection. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, fluoride is very effective in preventing cavities when present
in drinking water at an optimal range from 0.8 to 1.2 mg/L. To ensure that the fluoride supplement in your water provides optimal dental protection, the NYS
Health Department requires that we monitor fluoride levels on a daily basis. During 2008 monitoring showed fluoride levels in your water were in the
optimal range 97.8% of the time for Otisco Lake water, 100% of the time for Lake Ontario water, and 99.7% for Skaneateles water.
Free chlorine residual
Likely source: Added to water to kill harmful bacteria and to prevent regrowth of bacteria
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Every 4 hr
1.05
(0.59-1.64)
mg/L
NA
4 (MRDL)
Lake Ontario
No
Every hr
0.87
(0.75-0.98)
mg/L
NA
4 (MRDL)
Skaneateles Lake
No
Daily
1.33
(0.04- 2.2)
mg/L
NA
4 (MRDL)
Magnesium
Likely source: Naturally occurring
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
11
(10-11)
mg/L
NA
NA
Nickel
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
1.8
(1.5-2.0)
µg/L
NA
NA
Skaneateles Lake
No
May 08
1.2
µg/L
NA
NA
Nitrate
Likely source: Runoff from fertilizer use, leaching from septic tanks, sewage, erosion of natural deposits
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
0.42
(nd-0.82)
mg/L
10
10
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
0.35
mg/L
10
10
Skaneateles Lake
No
May 08
0.64
mg/L
10
10
Sodium
Likely source: Naturally occurring, road salts, water softeners, animal wastes
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08 Sep 08
20
(18-22)
mg/L
NA
See health effects
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
18
mg/L
NA
See health effects
Skaneateles Lake
No
May 08
8.6
mg/L
NA
See health effects
Health effects of sodium: Sodium has no MCL,
but water containing more than 20 mg/L of sodium
should not be used for drinking by people on severely
restricted sodium diets. Water containing more than
270 mg/L of sodium should not be used for drinking by
people on moderately restricted diets.
Silver
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
(range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08
Sep 08
23
(nd-36)
µg/L
NA
NA
Sulfate
Likely source: Naturally occurring
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar 08 Sep 08
15
(15-15)
mg/L
NA
250
Lake Ontario
No
Jul 08
26
mg/L
NA
250
Skaneateles Lake
No
May 08
14
mg/L
NA
250
Organic contaminants found at entry point
Di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthlate (DEHP)
Likely source: Used plastic products such as polyvinyl chloride, plastic toys, vinyl upholstery, adhesives and coatings. Coupound is likely to be released to the environment during production and waste disposal of these products. Also used in inks, pesticides, cosmeetics, and vacuum pump oil.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
(range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Jan, May, Aug, Nov 2008
0.9
(nd-2.1)
µg/L
0
6
Dissolved organic carbon
Likely source: Naturally occurring
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Monthly 08
2.2
(1.9-3.3)
mg/L
NA
NA
Haloacetic acids
Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar, Aug 08
6.9
(6.2-7.5)
µg/L
NA
60
Total organic carbon
Likely source: Naturally occurring
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Monthly 08
2.1
(1.9-2.4)
mg/L
NA
NA
Lake Ontario
No
Feb, May, Aug, Nov 08
1.8
(1.5-2.0)
mg/L
NA
NA
Total trihalomethanes
Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination. TTHMs form when source water contains large amounts of organic matter.
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar, Aug, Nov 08
10.2
(9.5-11)
µg/L
NA
80
Radionuclides found at entry point
Gross alpha
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
2008
0.55
pCi/L
0
15
Gross beta
Likely source: Decay of natural deposits and man-made emissions
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
2008
2.19
pCi/L
0
50*
Radium 226
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Lake Ontario
No
2008
0.0879
pCi/L
0
5**
Radium 228
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
2008
0.0605
pCi/L
0
5**
Uranium 233/234
Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits
Skaneateles Lake
No
2008
0.288
pCi/L
na
30
*New York State considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.
* NYS Considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.
** 5 pCi/L is the regulatory limit for Combined Radium 226 and 228
Bacteria found in distribution system
Total coliform bacteria
Likely source: Naturally present in the environment
O C W A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Month with highest % positive samples
Units
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Approx 78 per week
Sep
0.29%
(1 of 350)
NA
0
>5% positive samples in any month
Whenever a positive sample for total coliform is
found, the sample is further tested for the presence
of E. coli, and four check samples are taken. No samples were found to be E. coli positive in 2008.
OCWA regularly samples about 78 sites per week located
throughout our distribution system. We test these
sites for both bacteria and disinfectant residual to
ensure that our water is of a safe and sanitary quality.
Disinfectant & disinfection by-products in distribution system
Disinfection by-products:
During disinfection, certain by-products form as a
result of chlorine reacting with naturally occurring
organic matter. The disinfection process is carefully
monitored so that disinfection is effective, while
levels of disinfection by-products are kept low.
Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are
classes of chemicals that OCWA is required to monitor
in its distribution system.
Chlorine residual
Likely source: Added to water to kill harmful bacteria and to prevent the regrowth of bacteria.
OCWA distribution system
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Approx 78/week
0.53
(0.01 -2.98)
mg/L
NA
(MRDLG)
4 (MRDL)
Total trihalomethanes*
Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination. TTHMs form when source water contains large amounts of organic matter.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
53
(32-114)
µg/L
NA
80
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
47
(31- 72)
µg/L
NA
80
Skaneateles Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
26.5
(20-36)
µg/L
NA
80
INITIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EVALUATION (IDSE)**
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
(range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Six times: Oct 07-Aug 08
38.3
(19-84)
µg/L
NA
80
* Total trihalomethanes are the combined concentration of the following four
contaminants: bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform, and
dibromochloromethane.
Haloacetic acids
Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
31
(12-55)
µg/L
NA
60
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
37
(7.5-50)
µg/L
NA
60
Skaneateles Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average (range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
21
(7.5-30)
µg/L
NA
60
INITIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EVALUATION (IDSE)**
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
(range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Six times: Oct 07-Aug 08
20.8
(1-46)
µg/L
NA
60
Haloacetic acids are the combined concentration of the following five
contaminants: dibromo-, dichloro-, monobromo-, monochloro-, and trichloro-,
acetic acids.
** IDSE was a special testing event mandated by the USEPA. Testing started in October of 2007 and ended in Auust of 2008. Samples were taken 60 days apart at twenty-four sites located throughout the OCWA system representing all three sources of water. The test results from the IDSE will be combined with OCWA's regular disinfection by-product results in order to select future testing sites complying with regulations effective in 2012.
Physical characteristics found at entry point
Color
Likely source: Natural color may be caused by decaying leaves, plants, and soil organic matter.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Date(s) of sampling
Average
(range)
Units measured
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Mar, Sep 08
1
(nd-2)
Units
NA
15
Turbidity
Likely source: Soil runoff
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no
Sampling frequency (date of highest reading)
Average (range)
Units
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
Lowest % of monthly tests meeting limit
No
Every 4 hr
(Jun 08)
0.06
(0.02-0.15)
NTU
NA
TT=0.3 NTU for systems that filter
100%
Lake Ontario
No
Every 4 hr
(Jul 08)
0.06
(0.04-0.09)
NTU
NA
TT=0.3 NTU for systems that filter
100%
Skaneateles Lake
Yes*
Every 4 hr
(Feb 08)
0.49
(0.22-14.7)
NTU
NA
TT=5.0 NTU for systems that don't filter
NA
About turbidity
Customers OCWA get their water from one of three sources. Water may originate
from Otisco Lake, which is treated by OCWA itself, Lake Ontario which is
treated by the Metropolitan Water Board (MWB) and wholesaled to OCWA, or
Skaneateles Lake which is treated by the Syracuse Water Department and also
sold to OCWA. Customers may also get a mixture of these waters.
Water purveyors are required to measure turbidity
as water leaves their plants. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of
water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of water quality. High
turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants. Treatment plants that
filter also measure it because it is a good indicator of filter efficiency.
Otisco Lake and Lake Ontario waters are filtered. Skaneateles Lake water is
not.
*Treatment technique violation for turbidity
On Feb 18, 2008 because because of high winds, the turbidity
levels entering the City of Syracuse's intake exceeded the maximum allowable standard of 5 turbidity units. Notification of this
event was made to the public and to the Onondaga County Health Department . OCWA customers were not effected by this high
turbidity water. This is because OCWA maintains equipment that continuously monitors the turbidity of Skaneateles Lake water
purchased at our connection in the Westhill Water District. This connection is shut down when turbidities approach 5 NTU.
Other OCWA customers who receive Skaneateles Water would not have been affected by this event.
Health effects of turbidity
Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with
disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate
the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria,
viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps,
diarrhea, and associated headaches.
Please pay special attention to the additional statements in this report regarding Cryptosporidium.
Copper and lead in distribution system
Copper
Likely source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits, leaching from wood preservatives
Violation yes/no
Sampling date(s)
Average (range)
90th percentile
Units
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Jun 08
0.1
(0.001-0.61)
0.22
mg/L
0
AL=1.3*
*AL (Action Level)—Only 10% of samples may exceed this level.
Lead
Likely source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits
Violation yes/no
Sampling date(s)
Average (range)
90th percentile
Units
MCLG
Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No
Jun 08
1.6
(nd-8.7)
3.7
µg/L
0
AL=15*
*AL (Action Level)—Only 10% of samples may exceed this level.
About lead & copper
In order to deter the leaching of lead and/ or copper from our customers’ pipes, OCWA has been mandated to implement corrosion
control. Lead & Copper Sampling is required every 3 years.
The method of corrosion control used on waters originating from Otisco and Skaneateles lakes is the addition of orthophosphate .
The adjustment of pH is the method used for Ontario water. OCWA’s latest sampling period was in June of 2008 when
OCWA sampled and tested customers’ taps to make sure the corrosion controls were effective.
90th percentile values for lead & copper
The values reported for lead and copper represent the 90th percentile. The 90th
percentile value is the concentration that 90% of the taps sampled were at or below. Since the Action Level for lead is 15 µg/L,
90% of the taps tested had to be at or below this value. As you can see from the above chart 90% of the taps tested were at or
below 3.7 µg/L in June of 2008. The Action Level for copper is 1.3 mg/L. The observed 90th percentile for copper was 0.22 mg/L.
Of the 123 samples that OCWA tested in June of 2008, no sample exceeded the action level for lead or copper.
The testing showed that our methods of corrosion control are working.
More information: or 315-455-7061 After hours & weekend emergency answering service 315-475-7601
Please pay special attention to the additional statements in this report regarding 